Helsinki, Finland - Finland's parliament rejected the introduction of copyright payments for music used in chruch services Friday. Parliament voted against the proposal 91-58, as it settled the provisions of the new copyright law.
The extension of copyright payments to church services was proposed by the government.
If the payments article had been approved, the final decision on the matter would have been handed over to the next parliament.
The decision was based on an interpretation by the constitutional law committee, which viewed the requirement of such copyright payments as an infringement on religious rights and practice. As such, it would have required an order prescribed for the enactment of constitutional legislation.
The copyright law is still to be handled by the grand committee next Wednesday. Final approval will not be given until the end of September.